Dairy farming is a diverse industry in America; there are more than nine million dairy cows in the United States today. Approximately 65,000 working dairy farms (99 percent of them family-owned) provide the U.S. and many other countries with billions of pounds of dairy products each year.

Dairy farmers work hard every day to bring you fresh, great-tasting, wholesome dairy products.
As active members of their communities, farm families take great pride in maintaining natural resources. That means preserving the land where they live and work, protecting the air and water they share with neighbors, and ensuring the health and well being of their cows.

Employment and Pay:

There are 65,000 dairy farms in America today; most are smaller farms with less than 200 cows. The vast majority of U.S. farms - big and small - are family
owned and operated.

Contribution to U.S. Economy:

The U.S. dairy industry is a vital component of the country's economy. The U.S. is home to a mixture of large and small dairy farms - both of which contribute to the local economy by supporting local businesses and the community tax base.

• A strong dairy industry helps strengthen both the agricultural economy and the economic well
being of America's rural communities.

• When a dairy farm spends money locally, it creates a multiplier effect of more than two and a
half times the original dollar spent.

• Milk doesn't stay on the farm - where milk goes, more jobs are created.

• Dairy farmers purchase machinery, trucks, fuel, and more from local companies, which
generates jobs and income.

• Dairies create jobs for people who grow and ship feed for cows, as well as for veterinarians, insurance agents, accountants, bankers, and others.… After milk leaves the farm, it travels by truck to a processor, where cheese, ice cream, butter, yogurt, and other dairy products are made.

• Truckers, packaging manufacturers and food marketers complete the cycle by transporting and marketing the dairy products everyone loves. This means jobs in the transportation, distribution
and retail industries.

Food Safety:

Dairy farmers work hard to protect the quality and safety of the milk supply.

• Milk and dairy products are among the most tested and regulated foods in this country.

• All milking equipment is sanitized daily.

• Milk is transferred directly from the cow to a refrigerated tank, which is transported daily
for processing. Most milk travels only about 100 miles to get from the dairy to your local
grocery store.

• It's important to note that dairy cows are not routinely given antibiotics. When antibiotics are used to treat a clinically diagnosed illness, the cow is taken from the milking herd and treated.
She is not put back into the milking herd until her milk tests free of antibiotics.

• Every tanker load of milk is strictly tested for antibiotics. In the extremely rare event that any milk tests positive, it is disposed of immediately, never reaching the food supply. Farmers are financially liable if antibiotics are found in the milk, so they take these regulations very seriously.

Animal Well-Being:

A cow's health is of the utmost importance to dairy farmers. Proper animal care leads to the production of high quality milk and it's just the right thing to do. Nutritious diets, healthy living conditions and good medical care are all essential for a healthy herd, and these are among the many animal welfare practices routinely used by dairy farmers.

Typical practices on modern farms include:

Food & Shelter

• Dairy cows always have access to feed and fresh, clean water. Additionally, many of today's
modern dairy farms use free stall housing, which is a type of barn that allows cows to eat
and sleep whenever and wherever they choose.

• Farmers ensure that their cows have room to lie down, stretch, eat and drink comfortably.

• Many dairy farmers have installed rubber or other non-slip flooring in their barns to make it easier for the cows to move around. Cows may sleep on waterbeds, sand beds or mattresses made of rubber, foam or a combination of the two.

• Most dairy barns use advanced ventilation systems to assure healthy air quality. On warm days, farmers use fans and misting devices to keep cows cool and comfortable.

• Farmers employ professional nutritionists to develop a scientifically formulated, balanced and nutritious diet for their cows. Diets include hay, grains, protein sources (such as soy) and other vitamins and minerals.

Health & Medical Attention

• Dairy cows interact every day with farm employees during their regularly scheduled milkings.

• Cows receive regular veterinary care, including periodic check-ups, preventative vaccinations
and prompt treatment of illness.

Calves

• Dairy farmers provide a clean, dry, well-lit, and well-ventilated separate calving area to ensure comfortable, safe and hygienic conditions for both mother and calf.

• Both the cow and calf are monitored closely during the birthing process and afterward. Some farmers have video cameras in the calving area so that they can closely monitor their cows during and after the birthing process.

• After each birth, the farmer has the cow go through an appropriate resting period to ensure
her health and comfort.

Environmental Stewardship:

Farmers are the original environmentalists, the original recyclers. It's important to them to protect the land, water and air for their families, surrounding communities and future generations.  

• Dairy farmers celebrate and revere the land that supports and gives sustenance to
all living things.  

• Dairy farmers work their land everyday and have a kinship and special connection to our
natural resources.  

• They work very hard to be good stewards and conservationists, and they are keenly aware
of the necessity of maintaining the quality of our air, soil and water.

• Environmental practices on all dairy farms are tightly regulated by both federal
and state agencies.

• Dairy farmers employ a wide range of environmentally sound practices, ranging from basic manure management programs to high-tech systems that convert cow manure to electricity.

Using the latest scientific research, farmers boost efficiency and take care of their animals and surroundings. Technologies such as "digesters" reduce manure odor; energy-saving methods are used for milking and cooling the milk; and manure recycling plans protect soil and water resources. Even something as simple as upgraded lighting can help conserve a lot of energy. It's all part of making farms sustainable for the future.

Clean Air

Clean air is important for everyone, including farm families. Many dairy farms recycle manure to minimize smells, and use special leak-proof tanks to reduce and control odor. When farmers do spread manure (as a natural crop fertilizer), they often use tools to keep it from filling the air, and schedule around neighbors' outdoor events.

Clean Water

Dairy cows need clean water to stay healthy and produce quality milk, so farmers take water protection and conservation practices seriously. Clean water laws regulate the use of manure
as crop fertilizer, and farmers use special systems to reduce or eliminate runoff. And new technologies help minimize water use, conserving resources and cutting costs.

Community Involvement and Contribution:

Farmers take pride in being good citizens in their community.

• Farm families participate in service clubs, church groups and school boards because like their neighbors, they want to preserve their surroundings for future generations. They may offer free fertilizer for community gardens, sponsor beautification projects, or provide recreational access
to their land.